So we made port this year, but my partner read the Brix wrong and we
ended up mixing the brandy with 20 Brix wine. We were shooting for 15
brix from what started as 26. I would like to test the alcohol level
of what we made and bring the concentration up to 20%. As there any
simple ways to do this? We used one device that was way off.
thanks
marco

Are you trying to measure Brix (residual sugar), or alcohol? If Brix, use a
hydrometer. As for alcohol, I have tried 'vinometers' - but they've been so
inaccurate that I've given up. I've been searching for a less expensive, or
used, ebulliometer - but so far, the only ones I can find are too spendy -
anywhere from $700 to $1500. If anyone has one, or knows of one, or sale for
less than $500, I'd be interested.


> So we made port this year, but my partner read the Brix wrong and we
> ended up mixing the brandy with 20 Brix wine. We were shooting for 15
> brix from what started as 26. I would like to test the alcohol level
> of what we made and bring the concentration up to 20%. As there any
> simple ways to do this? We used one device that was way off.
> thanks
> marco
>

My local beer and wine supplies shop has an ebulliometer and charges a very reasonable fee to test a sample (£10 ~
$19 ). I wonder if you are close enough to a similar service to make it worthwhile getting a cheap high quality test
done using their equipment?

The wine place brew their own wine with imported grapes, so I think they are particularly well kitted out, but you never
know...

Jim

"Ric" > wrote in message m...
> Are you trying to measure Brix (residual sugar), or alcohol? If Brix, use a hydrometer. As for alcohol, I have tried
> 'vinometers' - but they've been so inaccurate that I've given up. I've been searching for a less expensive, or used,
> ebulliometer - but so far, the only ones I can find are too spendy - anywhere from $700 to $1500. If anyone has one,
> or knows of one, or sale for less than $500, I'd be interested.
>
>
>> So we made port this year, but my partner read the Brix wrong and we
>> ended up mixing the brandy with 20 Brix wine. We were shooting for 15
>> brix from what started as 26. I would like to test the alcohol level
>> of what we made and bring the concentration up to 20%. As there any
>> simple ways to do this? We used one device that was way off.
>> thanks
>> marco
>>
>
>

Unfortunately (or, in my opinion, FORTUNATELY) I live out in the country -
the 'local' brew place is great, but doesn't have any such service. And I
really want to get one of my own - I like the geeky stuff. Found one today
at a wine store in TX for less than $500 - trying to find similar here in
California.

> My local beer and wine supplies shop has an ebulliometer and charges a
> very reasonable fee to test a sample (£10 ~ $19 ). I wonder if you are
> close enough to a similar service to make it worthwhile getting a cheap
> high quality test done using their equipment?
>
> The wine place brew their own wine with imported grapes, so I think they
> are particularly well kitted out, but you never know...
>
> Jim

Sure, in your situation I'd be thinking exactly the same thing. I can tell by the ' marks just how local it is

"Ric" > wrote in message ...
> Unfortunately (or, in my opinion, FORTUNATELY) I live out in the country - the 'local' brew place is great, but
> doesn't have any such service. And I really want to get one of my own - I like the geeky stuff. Found one today at a
> wine store in TX for less than $500 - trying to find similar here in California.
>
>> My local beer and wine supplies shop has an ebulliometer and charges a very reasonable fee to test a sample (£10 ~
>> $19 ). I wonder if you are close enough to a similar service to make it worthwhile getting a cheap high quality test
>> done using their equipment?
>>
>> The wine place brew their own wine with imported grapes, so I think they are particularly well kitted out, but you
>> never know...
>>
>> Jim
>
>

Try Ryan at the Vintner Vault in Paso Robles .
That guy has a lot of nice things and reasonable prices.
Let him know Greg from Route 66 Cellars sent you , he'll treat you even
better

Greg


"Ric" > wrote in message
...
> Unfortunately (or, in my opinion, FORTUNATELY) I live out in the country -
> the 'local' brew place is great, but doesn't have any such service. And I
> really want to get one of my own - I like the geeky stuff. Found one today
> at a wine store in TX for less than $500 - trying to find similar here in
> California.
>
> > My local beer and wine supplies shop has an ebulliometer and charges a
> > very reasonable fee to test a sample (£10 ~ $19 ). I wonder if you are
> > close enough to a similar service to make it worthwhile getting a cheap
> > high quality test done using their equipment?
> >
> > The wine place brew their own wine with imported grapes, so I think they
> > are particularly well kitted out, but you never know...
> >
> > Jim
>
>